Season Preview: Matt Martin

Matt Martin


Position: Left Wing/Right Wing
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 192 lbs
Birthdate: May 8th, 1989 (22 years old)
Birthplace: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Acquired: Draft - 5th Round, 148th Overall, 2008 NHL Entry Draft


2010-2011 Team: New York Islanders
2010-2011 Stats: 68 GP - 5 G - 9 A - 14 P - 147 PIM
2011-2012 Team: New York Islanders
Team Role: Fourth Line Wing

Last year: Martin started off the year as the last cut, sent down to Bridgeport to play in a top-6 role. Soon after, he was called to the Islanders and never looked back. Martin played 68 games for the team last year, in which he was part of some pretty important moments. First, he was the one to really escalate the brawl-filled game against the Penguins with his takedown of Max Talbot. Second, he scored a huge goal in the waning seconds against the Flyers on the road to send the game to overtime. He also scored his first NHL goal against the Montreal Canadiens. Overall, it was a very productive rookie season for Martin as his game was refined completely from when we first saw him in 2009-10.

Expectations: Martin will continue his play on the fourth line if he has a strong training camp. The fact that he is ineligible for waivers does make him somewhat of a candidate to be sent down at the beginning of the year, but it seems improbable at this point. Martin really established himself as a solid fourth line player, but he will need to have a better season (or a similar one at worst) to show that he is a legitimate NHL player. He can definitely accomplish that through his high intensity play by sticking up for teammates and all-around physicality. Goals and assists may still be scarce for him this year, but playing with a veteran like Marty Reasoner will surely help him. Martin should get every opportunity to take the next step this year before becoming a restricted free agent after the year.

Projections: 62 GP - 8 G - 11 A - 19 P

Thoughts:

CH: I had the opportunity to meet and talk to Martin back when he was first drafted in 2008, and he was great. It really made rooting for him to make it easier, and when he started really progressing to the point where fans were excited over him, I knew he had a chance to make an impact. There is no question the time is now for Martin, and if he expands on what he did last year, there's little reason to think he can be a legitimate NHL player. I saw a comparison to Rangers forward Mike Rupp on Islandermania, and I think that is spot-on. A guy that will fight when he has to, but can also play the game. That is exactly the type of guy the Isles have needed for a while, and for a guy like Martin to fill that role will be ideal. But he needs to take the next step in his progression this year.

AT: Martin is a great kid with a hell of a lot of character with a lot of talent to boot. He's been mostly utilized on the 4th and rarely 3rd line role, but seeing what he was able to accomplish with Sarnia playing with Steven Stamkos and seeing his production on the 4th line last year showed me he has the capability to be a 15-20 goal scorer in the NHL. Last year, Martin really made an impact both on the ice and in the locker room, especially when he stuck up for fellow teammate Blake Comeau who was hit by a cheap shot from former Pens forward Max Talbot. Martin took notice and in the next game, in what some called a cheap shot of his own (and rightfully so), took a shot at Talbot that was a clear retaliatory hit. Some may call it cowardly, but it showed to me that we have a young player who is ready and willing to stick up for his teammates when necessary. From a 4th liner, that is exceptional.